Learning Guide 1

Overview

I designed this curriculum to support my own learning journey, curating a balanced exploration of AI’s technical foundations and human implications.

This journey weaves together three perspectives that complement each other:

• Foundations: Non-fiction works that ground us in the real implications of AI
• Stories: Fiction that helps us imagine possibilities and wrestle with future dilemmas
• Visions: Films that make these concepts tangible and emotionally resonant

Each element builds on the others, helping us develop a richer, overall understanding. The goal isn’t mastery of every concept, but rather gaining new lenses through which to view AI’s impact on our creative and professional lives.

Each week includes both core materials and an “Ambitious Explorer” section that offers additional guidance if you want to go deeper.

Curriculum

Week 1: Overview and Foundations

Goal: Understand what AI is, why it matters, and what’s at stake.

Foundations

• Life 3.0 by Max Tegmark
  • Chapters 1–3: Introduction to AI and societal stakes

Stories

• The Lifecycle of Software Objects by Ted Chiang (Exhalation, Story 4)
  • This story explores AI relationships, long-term evolution, and the ethical dilemmas of caring for artificial beings.

Visions

• AlphaGo (90 min)
  • An inspiring real-world story of AI’s capabilities.

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Ambitious Explorer

• Tim Urban’s The AI Revolution (2-part article)
  • Part 1 - The AI Revolution: The Road to Superintelligence
  • Part 2 - The AI Revolution: Our Immortality or Extinction

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Week 2: Ethics and Risks

Goal: Explore the societal consequences and ethical challenges of AI.

Foundations

• Weapons of Math Destruction by Cathy O’Neil
  • Real-world examples of algorithmic bias.
  • Chapter 1: Bomb Parts – Introduces the concept of harmful algorithms.
  • Chapter 3: Arms Race – Explores AI in education and its unintended consequences.

Stories

• The Truth of Fact, the Truth of Feeling by Ted Chiang (Exhalation, Story 6)
  • This story tackles memory and technology, juxtaposing human experience with algorithmic precision.

Visions

• Ex Machina – A gripping exploration of AI ethics and autonomy.

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Ambitious Explorer

• The Alignment Problem by Brian Christian
  • Part 1: Framing the Problem – Understand fundamental alignment challenges.
• Do You Trust This Computer? (78 min)
  • A chilling look at AI’s darker potentials.

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Week 3: Minds and Machines

Goal: Explore how AI systems think, feel, and create alongside humans.

Foundations

• The Artist in the Machine by Arthur I. Miller
  • Focus on case studies exploring AI and creativity.
  • Chapter 1: Creativity and Machines – Introduces AI’s role in the creative process.
  • Chapter 3: AI and Art – Case studies of AI-generated art.
  • Conclusion: The Future of AI Creativity – Reflects on where AI creativity is heading.

Stories

• I, Robot by Isaac Asimov (two stories)
  • “Robbie” - Explores the emotional potential of machines.
  • “Liar!” - Raises ethical challenges when machines overstep boundaries.

Visions

• Her – A touching story about AI and human connection.

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Ambitious Explorer

• The Beginning of Infinity by David Deutsch
  • Selected chapters on creativity and abstraction.
  • Chapter 1: The Spark – Explores how human creativity drives progress.
  • Chapter 8: The Reality of Abstractions – Discusses the nature of creativity and abstraction.

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Week 4: Future Horizons

Goal: Envision an optimistic future of human-AI collaboration.

Foundations

• The Inevitable by Kevin Kelly
  • Chapter 1: Becoming - How AI drives continuous technological evolution
  • Chapter 4: Flowing - The shift from fixed to fluid information systems
  • Chapter 8: Filtering - Finding value in an AI-abundant world
  • Chapter 12: Beginning - Embracing the human-AI future

Stories

• I, Robot by Isaac Asimov (one story)
  • “The Evitable Conflict” - Machines and humans cooperating to solve global challenges

Visions

• Lo and Behold: Reveries of the Connected World (98 min)
  • Werner Herzog’s wandering curiosity about our connected future

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Reflection & Synthesis

1. Looking Back
   1. How has your understanding of AI evolved across themes?
   2. Which stories, books, or films challenged your thinking the most, and why?
   3. What surprised you most about AI’s current and future impact?
2. Looking Forward
   1. What excites you most about the potential for human-AI collaboration?
   2. Which ethical questions remain most pressing to you?
   3. What concrete steps will you take in 2025 to engage with AI creatively or professionally?
3. Next Steps
   1. Write a journal entry or create a project summarizing your biggest takeaways.
   2. Explore additional reading, media, or projects to continue your AI journey.